Fulton Grows By 9300 New Residents

According to the annual population estimates of the Atlanta Regional Commission (ARC), the 10-county Atlanta region* added some 40,100 people between April 1, 2012, and April 1, 2013. That growth puts the region’s total population at 4,219,600, a number larger than the populations of 24 states.

While the addition of 40,100 new residents in the 10-county region is considerably lower than the annual growth experienced in the 1990s and early 2000s, it is slightly higher than the growth experienced during the previous year. It is also higher than the average annual growth of 37,283 since the year 2010. To put that in perspective, the region averaged more than 77,000 new residents each year between 1990 and 2010.

“While our latest population estimates reflect slower growth than we became accustomed to in the 90s and 2000s, metro Atlanta is still a place that attracts many people,” said Doug Hooker, ARC executive director.  “Our local jurisdictions have had a few years to catch their collective breaths and are preparing for faster growth that will come as the housing market and the economy continue to bounce back.”

This slower growth is a national phenomenon, due to the country’s slow recovery from the Great Recession. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, metro Atlanta was the 6th fastest growing metro region in the United States during 2012 - 2013. That ranking is based on the Census Bureau’s definition of “urbanized areas.” The Atlanta urbanized area includes 28 counties.

“People just don’t move as much when the economy is slow,” said Mike Alexander, manager of ARC’s Research & Analytics Division. “And, considering that this recession severely impacted the housing industry, forcing property values down, fewer people are able to sell their homes and move to different metro areas, even if jobs are available there.”

Fulton County, still the largest in metro Atlanta, added 9,300 residents. Gwinnett County, long a growth leader in the region, added 9,100 new residents during the year. The growth of Fulton and Gwinnett was followed by Cobb (8,000) and DeKalb (5,900) counties. 

All 10 counties and the City of Atlanta experienced growth during the year. Cherokee County added 2,500, Henry County 1,800, Clayton County 1,400, Douglas County 800, Fayette County 700 and Rockdale County 600.

More detailed information on the region’s population growth is available in the Regional Snapshot.

These population estimates are unofficial until adopted by ARC on August 28.

*Cherokee, Clayton, Cobb, DeKalb, Douglas, Fayette, Fulton, Gwinnett, Henry and Rockdale counties